The Houston Rockets have carved out an identity this season as a relentless force on the offensive glass - and the numbers back it up. They lead the league in both offensive rebounds per game (16.1) and second-chance points (18.8), a testament to their physicality and commitment to winning the possession battle. But with Steven Adams now sidelined indefinitely due to a significant ankle injury, that formula is about to be tested.
Adams went down in the fourth quarter of Houston’s 119-110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans - a game that carried a bit of revenge flavor after a previous loss to New Orleans. The moment he hit the floor, it was clear something was wrong.
Teammates had to help him off the court, and the diagnosis confirmed the worst: a Grade 3 ankle sprain. According to head coach Ime Udoka, there’s no timeline for his return, and it’s safe to say the Rockets will be without their bruising big man for a while.
The loss stings - not just because of Adams’ presence, but because of what he represents in this system. He’s not the flashiest scorer, averaging 5.8 points on 50.4% shooting, but he’s the engine behind Houston’s league-leading offensive rebounding.
His 8.6 boards per game include a staggering 4.5 offensive rebounds - the highest mark in the NBA this season. And here’s the kicker: that’s not even his personal best.
It would rank as only the fifth-best offensive rebounding season of his career. That’s how dominant he’s been in that department.
Adams' ability to create second-chance opportunities has been a cornerstone of Houston’s offense. When he’s on the floor, defenses can’t relax after a missed shot - they have to box out like their lives depend on it. Without him, the Rockets will need to lean more heavily on their depth, and fortunately, they’ve built a roster that’s unusually well-equipped to handle this kind of blow.
That’s where Clint Capela comes in. Signed over the summer, Capela was brought in precisely for moments like this - to help maintain Houston’s identity on the boards even when injuries hit. Alongside Alperen Sengun and rookie Amen Thompson, who’ve both cracked the league’s top 25 in offensive rebounds, Capela gives the Rockets another high-level rebounder who can keep the pressure on opposing frontcourts.
Still, let’s be honest: there’s a drop-off from Adams to Capela. Adams brings a level of physicality, experience, and sheer rebounding tenacity that’s tough to replicate. Capela can hold his own - he’s no stranger to dominating the glass - but the chemistry and rhythm Adams had developed with this group will be missed.
The timing of the injury, though unfortunate, does come with a small silver lining. The All-Star break is just around the corner, and with 12 games remaining until then, it gives Adams a built-in window for recovery without missing additional contests. Every day off counts when you’re dealing with a high-grade sprain.
In the meantime, the Rockets will have to find ways to keep their rebounding machine humming. That means more responsibility for Sengun, Thompson, and Capela - and likely some creative adjustments from Udoka to keep the offense flowing without one of its key cogs.
Houston’s identity this season has been clear: outwork, outmuscle, and out-rebound. That mission doesn’t change with Adams out - it just gets a little tougher. But if there’s a team built to weather that storm, it’s this one.